More severe storms, rain possible Wednesday, Thursday

The broken tree limbs and large puddles remain from Monday's storm, but forecasters are already looking ahead to more severe weather chances Wednesday and Thursday.

Maryland is included in areas with about 15 percent chances of severe storms both afternoons, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

On Wednesday, the prime risk for damaging winds and large hail is in the Ohio Valley. Parts of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are being estimated to stand as much as a 45 percent chance of severe weather -- among the highest odds the storm center will assign a day in advance.

Such storms typically fail to make it over the Appalachians to affect central Maryland. But storm forecasters caution storms may organize into what are known as supercells, and some "may survive as they cross the mountains." The primary threats would be wind and hail, according to the forecast.

While some have suggested that could mean a chance for a "derecho" storm like the powerful line that socked the region last July, meteorologists say such a phenomenon can't be predicted.

"I do think we will see severe clusters of thunderstorms that may produce damaging winds and heavy rain, but I don't believe we are going to see that type of derecho we saw last year across Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic," AccuWeather.com's Henry Margusity wrote.

Thursday, the storm center estimates the highest risk of severe weather to be along the lower Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, on the Eastern Shore, and down to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But Central Maryland could again see some storms. The main storm threat is expected to be in the early afternoon, according to the forecast.

Local meteorologist "Eric the Red" suggests conditions could be prime Thursday afternoon for severe storms given hot, humid air expected to be over the region as a cold front approaches.

"It has all the makings of a severe weather day," he wrote in an e-mail.

The National Weather Service's Baltimore/Washington office is calling for a chance of storms Wednesday and likely storms Thursday in the local forecast, with another 2 inches or more of rain expected.